{"id":5675,"date":"2020-03-20T08:40:07","date_gmt":"2020-03-20T12:40:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.eastwindsorchamber.com\/site\/?p=5675"},"modified":"2020-03-20T08:40:07","modified_gmt":"2020-03-20T12:40:07","slug":"1st-selectman-jason-bowzsas-report-march-19-2020-with-updates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eastwindsorchamber.com\/site\/1st-selectman-jason-bowzsas-report-march-19-2020-with-updates\/","title":{"rendered":"1st Selectman Jason Bowzsa’s Report March 19 2020 (with updates)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Jason Bowsza<\/a>15 hrs<\/abbr><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First Selectman\u2019s Report \u2013 March 19, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I think everyone would expect, the last two weeks have dealt almost exclusively with addressing the affect of Coronavirus on the community. This has resulted in a number of necessary actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, it is important to note that the steps everyone has taken so far and will take in the weeks to come are for the good of our entire society. We as a people are acting all together to systematically shut down aspects of our daily lives to give the most vulnerable in our society a better chance of weathering this storm, and we are foregoing major aspects of our daily routines to help prevent our healthcare workers from being overwhelmed. These acts, taken collectively, show the very best in us all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before proceeding with an update, I want to point out just a few examples of the good things that are happening right now. First, I want to recognize and thank Health District Direct Patrice Sulik, Superintendent DeBarge, Chief DeMarco and Deputy Chief Hart. Their work over the last many days has been nothing short of inspiring, and our community is lucky to have them all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our first responders continue to do their work each day without hesitation, as they too are having to face the fears and uncertainties that this pandemic presents. In many cases, first responders across the state either are or will be working without proper Personal Protective Equipment. They are just as likely \u2013 if not more so \u2013 to become ill as anyone, and they answer the call each time. I\u2019m thankful for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I want to recognize the outstanding and dedicated teachers in our community. In the last few days I\u2019ve seen our teachers posting Facebook videos to continue interacting with and teaching our students, from gym classes to teachers and administrators reading children\u2019s books to elementary school students over the compute. I find that awe inspiring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also want to recognize those people who work at grocery stores in our community. Many of these grocery clerks are often forgotten, but in this new reality we find ourselves in, they find themselves on the front lines as well. They keep going to work, they keep trying to stock the shelves, so that the rest of us can have the piece of mind to know that we are trying to provide for our families. Those grocery store employees are being constantly exposed to the general public, and we are all relying on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also want to share that the Town staff working for us are an incredible, dedicated group of people. Every one of them continue to show up for work and do whatever they can to service the community, including find new and innovative ways to try and be supportive. I\u2019m proud to be associated with all of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve also seen folks trying to lend their own strength to the community. \u201cJust Jeannie\u201d Pomeroy is holding a concert from the safety of her own home, taking requests over the internet, and broadcasting it live. Many in our community are joining in with the idea of ringing bells at 8pm to let people know that they are not alone, that we\u2019re all in this thing together. And there are a million other examples of the very best in us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All that being said, our town government remains hard at work. At this point in time, the federal government and the state government have declared states of emergency. I have declared a state of Public Emergency and Civil Preparedness Emergency. This declaration is in effect until September 9, unless rescinded by the First Selectman, pursuant to Connecticut General Statute 28-8a(a). This allows the Town to respond quickly to circumstance that require municipal action. We are working very closely with state officials to ensure that coordination between governments is being maximized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

STATE ACTIONS
The governor has issued a series of executive orders in recent days to combat Coronavirus. Included in those orders are:
\u2022 The closure of public schools
\u2022 Waiving of the 180-day requirement
\u2022 A relaxation of regulations for pharmacists to manufacture hand sanitizer in pharmacies
\u2022 A relaxation of in-person public meeting requirements
\u2022 Increased flexibility for municipalities concerning the adoption of local budgets
\u2022 Required closure of bars and restaurants (with take-out orders still allowed), malls, movie theaters, bowling alleys, gyms, etc.
\u2022 Cancellation of meetings of 50 people or more (revised down from 100)
\u2022 Suspends fingerprinting services at police departments<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The governor and the Department of Economic and Community Development are also working with the federal government to provide business assistance to Connecticut businesses impacted by Coronavirus<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TOWN ACTIONS
At the local level, Town buildings have been closed to the public but nearly all government services remain available, either online or over the phone. The Town is utilizing Zoom to continue to conduct Town business, and the opportunity of the public to join those meetings is available, with call-in information noticed on the meeting agenda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our Emergency Management team has been mobilized, and emergency services personnel are working closely together to ensure that we all understand how to continue to provide public safety services at minimal risk to first responders. Chief DeMarco, Superintendent DeBarge and I are participating in all regionalized conference calls, including regular calls with North Central District Health Department, the Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Region 3, and the State Emergency Command calls. We will continue to share updates whenever we get them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have issued a policy that addresses a number of things:
\u2022 Safety first: employees are required to take basic precautionary health measures. Keep your workplace clean; wipe down commonly touched surfaces; use proper coughing\/sneezing etiquette; and if you are sick STAY HOME;
\u2022 We are working with appropriate vendors to perform a deep clean of Town buildings. This will happen as soon as possible in all Town buildings, and it will likely happen more than once. Disinfectant wipes will be distributed to each office in Town government;
\u2022 Town-related travel outside State of Connecticut, with the exception of normal working commutes between home and work, will not be permitted effective immediately, until further notice by the First Selectman or Chief of Police;
\u2022 Any employee who has travelled outside the State of Connecticut within the last 14 days will need to fill out the form at the back of the policy document and return it to the Office of the First Selectman. Employees who have done so utilizing mass transportation may be required to quarantine from any Town location for fourteen (14) days. Employees who are required to quarantine at home and are able to work from home may do so on a case-by-case basis as determined by their supervisor. Otherwise, employees may use their accrued time;
\u2022 The Town will require employees who are sick, or who have been exposed to someone who is sick with the coronavirus, to stay home;
\u2022 Employees may tele-work on a case-by-case basis. Not all positions will be eligible, based on the nature of the work, but supervisors will be permitted to make the determination. A step by step instruction sheet is attached above. Please note that in order to access documents on drives you currently utilize, those documents will need to be uploaded to OneDrive prior to leaving the building;
\u2022 Employees who are not quarantined, but who are not eligible to work from home, will be entitled to use their accrued time;
\u2022 Social distancing during the workday: employees are requested to avoid, whenever possible, meeting people face to face, or at least minimizing the amount of close-quarter, face-to-face interaction; avoid unnecessary travel; avoid congregating in groups, regardless of size; bring your lunch and eat at your desks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have also asked Town department heads to provide scenarios as to what Town services could be performed by staff remotely and assess which staff could perform those services from home if circumstances do warrant that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite schools being required to close, the district is still providing meals to any East Windsor resident under the age of 18 every day. They can be picked up between 7am and 10am at the East Windsor Middle School and at the community room in Mill Pond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Senior Center continues to offer its Dial-a-Ride service for trips to doctors and grocery stores, and we are continuing to provide meals to seniors through the Connecticut Renewal Team. We continue to accept new enrollees in this service, particularly as people have grown more concerned about what may be happening in the near future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

STATUS UPDATE
On this morning\u2019s call with the health district, Director Sulik shared the confirmation of two cases of Coronavirus in the eight towns serviced by NCDHD, these at a long-term care facility in Stafford. However, the state is still experiencing delays in testing capacity, particularly when it comes to receiving results from private labs. We should assume that most or all towns have cases, whether confirmed or not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Johnson Memorial Hospital will now be offering drive-through testing for Coronavirus. Testing will be available daily from 9am to 4pm, but anyone participating will be REQUIRED to have a doctor\u2019s note. Those without a note will be turned away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The state will be distributing about 40,000 N-94 masks to first responders. These will offer some limited protection, but they are not as effective as N-95\u2019s. They are roughly as effective as surgical masks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There have been reports of bars and restaurants operating contrary to the governor\u2019s order. While take out is still permissible, bar service and dine-in are not. Police will be enforcing the directive, and anyone found in violation of the governor\u2019s order will be charged with a FELONY.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite everything that is going on, Connecticut is not in a lock down as of now. Gas stations, grocery stores, pharmacies, banks and other businesses still remain open. Where possible, they should be taking emergency steps to ensure the safety of their employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With that thought in mind, I have been in touch with Windsor Federal Savings and their president informed me that Windsor Federal is closing their lobby, but drive-up service is available, and meetings in-person are available by appointment. They continue to keep ATM\u2019s supplied and continue to provide services to customers with a focus on social distancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite all that is going on, I would ask two things: check in on loved ones or neighbors as often as you can with a text or a phone call; and try each day to recognize goodness around us. We are an amazing community, and in times like these our best selves shine through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If Town government can help with anything, please reach out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respectfully submitted,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jason E. Bowsza
First Selectman<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jason Bowsza15 hrs First Selectman\u2019s Report \u2013 March 19, 2020 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"0","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5675","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-press-releases"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eastwindsorchamber.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5675","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eastwindsorchamber.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eastwindsorchamber.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastwindsorchamber.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastwindsorchamber.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5675"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastwindsorchamber.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5675\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5676,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastwindsorchamber.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5675\/revisions\/5676"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eastwindsorchamber.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5675"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastwindsorchamber.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5675"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastwindsorchamber.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5675"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}